Huge hearth erupts at Barrow-in-Furness BAE Systems nuclear submarine shipyard: UK website is at the moment constructing new £1.6bn Astute-class vessel – native residents inform of fears as smoke pours from historic dock
A shipyard currently building the UK’s next-generation nuclear submarines is on fire this morning, sparking a huge emergency response and concern among locals.
A ‘significant’ blaze broke out at the BAE Systems factory in Barrow, Cumbria, shortly after midnight. Two people have been taken to hospital.
Locals said the fire appeared to be centred on the six-acre Devonshire Dock Hall, the main construction site, where a £1.6bn Astute-class nuclear submarine is being assembled.
It was unclear overnight what was burning or how the blaze started. Police said there was no ‘nuclear risk’.
Footage from the scene showed thick smoke pouring out of a large factory building. Locals have been told to stay away from the site and to keep doors and windows closed.
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Two people have been raced to hospital after a blaze broke out at BAE Systems in Barrow, Cumbria
Emergency services raced to the nuclear submarine shipping yard around 1am on Wednesday
Police have urged locals to stay inside while emergency services deal with the incident
In a statement at 4am, Cumbria Police said: ‘Emergency services are currently in attendance at BAE at a significant fire at the site.
‘This incident was reported at around 00.44am this morning and remains on-going.
‘There is no nuclear risk. However, people living nearby are advised to remain indoors whilst emergency services respond to the incident and keep doors and windows closed.
‘Two people have been taken to hospital having suffered suspected smoke inhalation.
‘At this time there are no other casualties and everyone else have been evacuated from the Devonshire Dock Hall and are accounted for.
‘A road closure is in place on Michaelson Bridge.’
BAE Systems said: ‘We are working with emergency services to deal with a fire at [our] site in Barrow in Furness.’
Locals took to social media to tell of their concerns as the fire at the massive factory could be seen for miles around.
One man told the Daily Mirror he had heard a ‘big thump’ from the building earlier in the night.
Another resident asked: ‘Isn’t this really bad?’ A further local said: ‘It’s scary because the last thing you want is BAE of all places up in flames. But if it was a threat to life or the town they would have emergency-warned everyone.’
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service added: ‘Fire crews are currently dealing with an fire in the vicinity of BAE systems in Barrow, residents in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area.
‘We appreciated your co operation whilst we deal with the incident.’
MailOnline has contacted MoD for comment.
The historic shipyard has built all but three of the UK’s fleet of nuclear submarines and has been producing vessels for more than 100 years.
The latest, HMS Agincourt, is due for completion in 2026.
In 2018, fire broke out on the fifth Astute-class vessel as it was being built at the site, and a year earlier several workers were hospitalised by a carbon monoxide leak there.
